Birth Certificate Authentication for use in China

US birth certificate must be legalized by the Chinese Embassy or Chinese consulate in order to be used in China. This process is called authentication. China is not a member of Hague Convention, therefore Apostille is not acceptable. The birth certificate should be first be authenticated by the secretary of state office, then further authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Chinese Consulate accordingly.

STEP
1 - Obtain a Certified birth certificate

Contact with your state vital record office to obtain a certified birth certificate. The certified birth certificate should look and feel like the original.

STEP
2 - Authenticated by the secretary of state

Contact with your secretary of state authentication office for authentication.

The secretary of state will add a cover statement with a designated big seal, signature and wording recognized by Chinese Consulate.

Once authenticated, the staple(s)
must not be removed or it will invalidate the document.

When you submit the birth certificate to the secretary of your state, please indicate
the document will be used in China. The birth certificate should be authenticated.
Apostille is not recognized in China.

Birth certificate issued in DC jurisdiction must be further authenticated by the US Department of State (Federal level) after authentication by your state's secretary office (state level). States under DC jurisdiction include Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming and Washington DC.

It's possible to combine step 1 and step 2 together, please check with your secretary of state office for detail.

Q: Can minor be applicant on the application form?
A: If the birth certificate is for minor (under 18 years of age), one of parents should be the applicant and sign the application form.
Q: What should I fill in "Appendix and Copies of Notarization/ Legalization" section?
A: It simply means how many set of documents you need for authentication. If you only have 1 document, simply type in "1". You will need to pay for each document that needs authentication.Click here to find out how to fill out the Authentication Application Form correctly.

STEP
4 - Photocopy of Applicant's ID

Photocopy of applicant's passport. If the birth certificate is for minor, photocopy of minor's passport together with photocopy of both parent's passport are required.

STEP
5 - Select a Service The authentication
fees vary depending on type of the documents and level of service

Regular 7-15 business days processing: US$143.00/per document
Consular Fee: $25.00 + Service Fee: $89.00 + Return shipping fee:
$29.00
(Service fee is reduced to $59 for each additional document, total for each additional document is $84, if the documents can be processed in the same jurisdiction.)

Express 5-6 business days processing: US$183.00/per document *
Consular Fee: $45.00 + Service Fee: $109.00 + Return shipping fee:
$29.00
(Service fee is reduced to $79 for each additional document, total for each additional document is $124, if the documents can be processed in the same jurisdiction.)
(* Express is temporarily suspended in DC Jurisdiction until further notice.)

Remarks:

Processing time means the time Chinese Consulate needs to process your application. First day of receiving is not processing day. Weekend and holiday doesn't count.

Additional shipping fee applies, if shipping to Alaska and anywhere other than continental USA.

Payment needs to be in forms of money order, cashiers check, bank check,
certified check, company check or cash. Company check may need a few extra days to clear. Please make check or money order
payable to VisaRite Service. Personal check or credit card payment
is not accepted.

Fee reduction are valid for additional documents issued in the same state.